Henrik Poulsen

9.4

15% alc.

Lots of (French) oak on both the nose and palate.
I could see this score high with certain critics based on the sheer size but I found it somewhat out of balance and have doubts it will ever "find its feet".

Still a VERY good wine but given the pedigree (and price point) I was expecting a bit more. — 9 years ago

with Kurt-Inge

Jan de Weerd

9.1

Nice wine but lacking body for higher score. Oaky upfront and sweet edge at the end. — 9 years ago

with Tammy

Roger Spencer

9.3

Tad too young for a higher score — 10 years ago

with Dario

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

The 90 Pichon Lalande is a wine of controversy between professional wine critics, wine lovers and I'm sure the producer. Parker gave this wine a 79. Neil Martin an 86. Wine lovers give it an average score of around 92 on Cellertracker with some scores as high as 96. The 90 left bank vintage is well respected and certainly Pichon Lalande is a well respected producer. While this producer is one of my favorites, the 90 Pichon Lalande does not live up to the grandeur of the 90 Bordeaux vintage. However, is this a bad wine? No, but it is off for such a quality vintage. The 90 does not have distinct or even bright fruit. The fruit is cooked and it also has a green vegetal character with it's strong presence of cooked green bell pepper. The 90 also lacks mid palate and finish. It is however, still elegant in the style of an older Pichon Lalande. When you taste it, you recognize some of the Pichon Lalande characteristics but it lacks the quality one has grown to expect from them. The conversation will likely be the same for their 05 but additional time will be required to make a fair assessment. Open a bottle and join the debate. — 10 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.1

1996, This 1996 blend of 61% CS and 39% merlot, showed beautifully and justifying the 19 years of cellaring.
A truly deep rich and elegant wine. Lavish red appealing color, lovely nose, leather, black cherries, black current, wet soil, mineral, medium to full body, with soft round tannins, smooth, deep, complex, lovely acidity to balance, and a delicious finish, with hint of sweetness. A truly lovely wine. My score 91, drink to 2019. — 11 years ago

Alec Jeffery

9.0

Nose a little closed, decanting helped, cherry and black fruits, soft tannins, a little short on the aftertaste, not rich enough for a top score. Worth seeking out. — 11 years ago

Lowell Su

9.8

Perfectly balanced Bordeaux. Shoulder height was a slightly low and the cork wasn't in best condition leading to a not perfect score for me. Otherwise the merlot and Cabernet danced together well in flavor and blend. — 11 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.9

To quote my two friends @Martin G Rivard and @Mike Rowe this is a bad ass wine eliciting smiles all around (and a great way to start 2017). Parker gave this a perfect score and it is a beauty. Decanting is a must at this point. It's been opening up over the last 4 hours and think it will continue to improve if I can sip more slowly lol. Slightly cloudy, and a bright purple in the glass. On the nose, cassis, vanilla and toast dominate. The sips are long and driven by fruit (blue and blackberries and cassis). Liquid silk in the mouth with sweet tannins and a surprisingly strong acidity. The finish is long. This is a total baby but I had to try it. Happy New Year to all my Delectable friends and especially to my fellow Wine Nerd Herd. I've always believed that sharing wine with friends is the greatest gift and this app has enabled me to do that with friends near and far and connect with some great people. May 2017 be a year of great health and happiness and may all our glasses be full! — 9 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

8.9

One of my last bottles of this wine bought 11 years ago, the wind is at is peak, with lots of sediments and character. Color is red with brown rims, nose us complex mature and rich with licorice, coffee, espresso, plums, black cherry and a touch of port, body is full round and tannins are smooth and velvety,acidity is still there and will carry the wine for a few more years, yet my recommendation is go ahead and finish what you have in your stock, as risk of passing peak is high. My score 89, drink up. — 10 years ago

John Van Trijp

9.8

Young guns eve......oh boy, this one is on fire....very complex nose of dark fruit, very focussed. The aftertaste goes on and on and on....this will score the perfect score in future... — 10 years ago

Martin Frowde

8.9

Lovely deep purple colour and inviting cassis bouquet (soft and gentle, not in your face despite a hint of black pepper). Smooth mouthfeel with good initial blackcurrant flavour with a hint of eucalyptus but a little acid and the aftertaste just leaves you wanting a little bit more from the wine because it is so close to being "wow". Definitely a good wine to have with food and it needed at least 90 mins post decanting to open up. GBP 40 which to my mind is a little over-priced and prevents me from giving it a score of 9. — 10 years ago

with Georgina

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.3

1998, A true legendary wine, it needs still time to show its full quality and character. Tasted double blind. I guessed it was a Pauillac from early 2000s but did not think it was such an iconic wine :-)
Lovely garnet color, complex nose, yet a bit tight, full of black current, coffee, dry leaves, mineral and iron, full body, rich layered, complex, tannins are velvety and smooth after 2 hours. And the finish was long. My score 93, drink to 2026. Would love revisit in 5 years. — 11 years ago

Max Bozoghlian

Owner/Wine Director Carlito's Gardel

9.2

Should merit a higher score after a few years in the cellar. — 11 years ago

Jordan Franceschini

9.4

The real deal. Yes a bit early. Score goes higher. Lyle- love that tannin wall you refer to. Hitting on many notes. — 9 years ago

with Lyle

Reza Oliyai

10

Second bottle of 2008 vintage. Perfect score for a perfect wine. — 9 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

8.9

A lovely robust second wine that needs more time to mature, this blend of 50% CS 50% Merlot has a deep garnet color , very expressive aromas of black current, cedar wood, black cherries, cigar box, tea leaves and plums, an excellent melange of earthiness and fruit, full body with firm dry tannins and great acidity, this wine is still young and needs more time to mellow and show his well masked smoothness, long dry delicious finish, after 8 hours starts to open up and deliver more complexity. My score 89, drink 2016-2022, next bottle in 2017 ;-) — 10 years ago

Charlie Beatty

Buyer wineworksonline.com

9.9

Wow! Yup a AwesomeCab with 1 HourDecanting! This Cab is a must BUY! Gorgeous Fruit layers of soft tannins makes for a great Cab! CB 100. Score a little high but even Robert Parker gives this Great a 97+. WOW ALERT! — 10 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.0

2003, Lovely wine, new world in style, rich intense and lavish. Deep garnet color, tempting nose of licorice, black cherries, leather, wet soil, chocolate, black rip plums, full body with well integrated rich round tannins, lovely acidity that is quit surprising for the extra warm vintage, long delicious dry yet ripe finish. A truly delightful wine, that is underrated in my humble opinion. My score 90+, drink to 2018, perhaps even longer. — 10 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.5

Amazing Merlot!!! Pure pleasure - an extraordinary mix of power freshness and complexity. A masterpiece. Those who know me, know that I don't easily grant 5 stars. But here each star is well deserved!!!

My score 95, drink 2014-2028!

The wine is almost black in color, the nose is seductive and essentially you fall in love with this wine from the first sniff. The aromas are rich and concentrated, plum, black cherry, sweet spices, licorice, coffee, chocolate, blueberry jam and much more. Body is full, chewy, rich intense , rich and extracted, a rare combination of fruit forward and freshness, the tannins are round, smooth and caressing, the light acidity keeps you addicted. The finish is long, and addictive.. Impossible to stop drinking it — 11 years ago

Michael Zari

10

Wow! If the score is about perfection, I have never had a better merlot, even Petrus. Just saying! — 12 years ago